Jerry Bob Baxter

On February 16, 2023 Jerry Bob Baxter entered into eternal life, surrounded by his family after a brief illness. Jerry was born on September 19, 1936 to John and Hazel Baxter of Looneyville, Texas. Jerry graduated from high school in 1955 in Nacogdoches, TX. After graduation, Jerry joined the United States Army where he served in the armor division. After his four-year term Jerry returned to Nacogdoches where he met the love of his life, Barbara Langley. They were married in January of 1960 and Jerry worked for Southwestern Bell telephone company in Nacogdoches. After working a short time Jerry and Barbara moved to Houston where he continued working as a lineman for the phone company. In 1969, Jerry and Barbara were blessed with their first son Jerry L. Baxter and a second son, Jim B. Baxter, in 1974. When their children got a little older, Jerry was able to live out two of his greatest loves; raising his sons and coaching baseball. Jerry's passion for the sport of baseball, along with his love of mentoring youth, was something he held near and dear to his heart. Jerry could always see hidden talent in all of his young athletes. If his players needed a ride to practice or a game, he would pick them up and take them home no matter how far the drive. Coaching baseball was Jerry's second love (to his wife Barbara). He also loved the adventure of riding motorcycles. Jerry and Barbara passed this love to both of their sons. When he wasn't coaching baseball, you would find Jerry, Barbara and their sons riding motorcycles almost every weekend. Jerry also loved being in GOD's country, where he loved hunting, fishing and camping with family and friends. In 1990 Jerry was forced to retire due to medical reasons. He and Barbara decided to move to Huntsville, Texas where Barbara purchased Roberts Grocery in Phelps, Texas. Jerry being the type of person who never met a stranger, would sit in his rocking chair in the family convenience store where he would greet each and every customer with a smile. As Jerry's sons grew older and had families of their own, he found his true love and passion in helping raise his grandkids. While his two oldest grandchildren were in school each day, Jerry would "Paw Paw" sit the youngest, where he would braid his granddaughter's hair and use a bread tie to keep it in place. Every afternoon he would pick up his grandchildren from school, they would all go grab a snow cone and would play at the duck pound. Jerry always had a kind heart and would greet each and every person he saw. Even when his health declined, he always greeted his caretakers with a smile, a joke or a kind word. The last year of Jerry's life, Barbara was by his side taking care of him day in and day out. At his time of passing Jerry was still greeting all of his loved ones with a smile or nod. Jerry will truly be missed by all that knew him. He was a great husband, father and grandfather. Jerry is survived by his wife Barbara Baxter; sisters Helen Mobley, Elouise Hall, Linda Porter and brother John Ray Baxter (wife Rhonda). He is also survived by his son Jerry Lee Baxter (wife Angie); son Jim Bob Baxter (wife TaRai); granddaughters Ashley, CarRa, Angel, BreAnna, Rebecca and Jessica; grandsons Coulter, Eli, Gavin and Ryan; great grandsons Kasen and Westyn, along with many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and friends. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, his Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, siblings, three brother-in-law's and a niece and nephew. A visitation will be held on Tuesday February 28, 2023 at 9:00am and a memorial service will follow at 10:00am at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home in Huntsville. Memorial condolences to the family may be made at www.shmfh.com.

Jerry Bob Baxter

September 19, 1936 - February 16, 2023